Self-compassion is like having a warm, friendly friend who helps you when things go wrong, and that’s exactly what Kristin Neff talks about with her Three Components of Self-Compassion.
The First Part: Being Kind to Yourself
Imagine you spill your juice all over the floor. Instead of yelling at yourself, you say, “It’s okay, I can clean it up.” That's like being kind to yourself, just like a parent who says, “Don’t worry, we’ll try again tomorrow.”
The Second Part: Seeing Things as They Are
Sometimes, when things go wrong, we think they’re the worst thing ever. But that’s not always true. It's like thinking your broken toy is completely useless, but maybe it can still be fun to play with in a different way.
The Third Part: Being Connected to Others
When you feel sad or upset, remember that other people also have tough days. You're not alone! It's like being part of a group game, if one person trips, everyone else cheers them on and helps them up.
Together, these three parts help you be kinder to yourself, see things more clearly, and feel less alone, just like having the best friend who’s always there for you.
Examples
- A child who fails a test and tells themselves, 'It's okay, I'll try again tomorrow.'
- An adult feeling stressed at work but taking a break to breathe.
- Someone who feels sad about a mistake but reminds themselves that everyone makes errors.
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See also
- How Does Being Kinder to Yourself Work?
- How ADHD Causes Emotional Dysregulation?
- Body dysmorphic disorder.. What is it?
- Avoidant Personality Disorder.. What is it?
- How Different Types of Alcohol Affect Your Emotions?